Spanish, U.S. defense chiefs
meet,
discuss Rota labor dispute, other issues
By Scott Schonauer, Rota bureau
NAVAL
STATION ROTA, Spain — In a recent meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld, Spanish Minister of Defense Federico Trillo expressed optimism that Naval
Station Rota’s labor dispute will be resolved, a defense secretary spokesman said.
The two
defense leaders met April 23 at the Pentagon and talked about a range of subjects during
the hourlong meeting, Lt. Col. Steve Campbell said Friday.
The labor
dispute at the naval station was among several issues discussed.
Other
topics included: the status of U.S. forces in Spain; the importance of the trans-Atlantic
link; and Spain’s upcoming presidency in the European Union.
Both agreed
to continue meeting regularly "to facilitate the warm relationship enjoyed between
Spain and the United States," Campbell wrote in a message to Stars and Stripes.
The labor
issue in Rota will not be discussed between the United States and Spain again until the
annual labor negotiations this summer, Campbell said.
The
base’s 1,300 Spanish workers have demanded a boost in take-home pay since last year
Spain began taxing a portion of their income not previously taxed.
Earlier
this month, workers staged a weeklong strike outside the base, shutting down some base
services.
The U.S.
military has about 3,000 Air Force, Navy and Marine personnel stationed primarily at two
Spanish bases: Naval Station Rota, near Cadiz; and Morón Air Base, near Seville.
Naval
Station Rota is a strategic airlift base that also is home to more than a dozen commands,
including a SEAL unit, cryptologists and an EP-3 fleet air reconnaissance squadron.
In January,
Spain approved a portion of a 10-year master plan proposed by the U.S. military for the
naval station.
The plan
includes building additional parking spots for large cargo planes, pier improvements and a
new commissary and exchange.
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